The battle of entry-level began. This year the main smartphone manufacturers focused on upper-midrange phones and increased the prices of flagship phones, but they did not stop releasing entry-level devices. The latest is the Oppo A11k, just launched in the Indian market. But is it the best entry-level in terms of value for money or there are better handsets? Actually, it has several rivals in the Indian market: we believe that among the most interesting deals there are Realme C3 and Redmi 8A Dual, despite the price hikes caused by the pandemic. This comparison will help you to understand which entry-level should be the best for your needs.
Oppo A11k vs Realme C3 vs Xiaomi Redmi 8A Dual
| Oppo A11k | Oppo Realme C3 | Xiaomi Redmi 8A Dual | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT | 155.9 x 75.5 x 8.3 mm, 165 grams | 164.4 x 75 x 9 mm, 195 grams | 156.5 x 75.4 x 9.4 mm, 188 grams |
| DISPLAY | 6.22 inches, 720 x 1520p (HD+), 270 ppi, IPS LCD | 6.5 inches, 720 x 1560p (HD+), 270 ppi, IPS LCD | 6.22 inches, 720 x 1520p (HD+), 270 ppi, IPS LCD |
| PROCESSOR | MediaTek Helio P35, octa-core 2.3 GHz | Mediatek Helio G70, octa-core 2 GHz | Qualcomm Snapdragon 439, octa-core 1.95 GHz |
| MEMORY | 2 GB RAM, 32 GB – micro SD slot | 2 GB RAM, 32 GB – 3 GB RAM, 32 GB – 4 GB RAM, 64 GB – micro SD dedicated slot | 2 GB RAM, 32 GB – 3 GB RAM, 32 GB – 4 GB RAM, 64 GB – micro SD dedicated slot |
| SOFTWARE | Android 9 Pie, Color OS | Android 10, Realme UI | Android 9 Pie, MIUI |
| CONNECTIVITY | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS |
| CAMERA | Dual 13 + 2 MP f/1.2, and f/2.4 5 MP f/2.4 front camera |
Triple 12 + 2 + 2 MP f/1.8 and f/2.4 5 MP f/2.4 front camera |
Dual 13 + 2 MP f/2.2 and f/2.4 8 MP f/2.0 front camera |
| BATTERY | 4230 mAh | 5000 mAh, battery charging 10W | 5000 mAh, fast charging 18W |
| ADDITIONAL FEATURES | Dual SIM slot | Dual SIM slot, reverse charging, splash resistant | Dual SIM slot, splash resistant, reverse charging |
Design
If you want the most futuristic and elegant design, just do not go for entry-level phones like these ones. But Oppo A11k, Realme C3, and Redmi 8A Dual remain devices with modern aesthetics, including a display with narrow bezels and a waterdrop notch. Unfortunately, they have a cheap polycarbonate body. But with the Realme C3 and Redmi 8A Dual, you get some kind of protection against water. They are not waterproof, but you will not have problems if you use them while it is raining. Redmi 8A Dual even comes with the Gorilla Glass 5 protection for the display, so it is very sturdy.
Display
Unfortunately, with each of these devices, you get a display below the average. But we are still talking about sufficient panels, with enough definition and decent overall quality. In each case, you get an IPS display with an HD+ resolution. The Realme C3 looks like the one with the highest peak brightness, and it also comes with a wider display diagonal (6.5 inches). On the other hand, with the Oppo A11k and the Redmi 8A Dual, you get a more compact body thanks to smaller displays.
Specs & Software
The highest performance level is provided by the Realme C3 not only because it has a great Helio G70 with high CPU and GPU performance (but it is still an entry-level chipset), but also because it is the only to come with up to 4 GB of RAM. The RAM is paired with up to 64 GB of internal storage (eMMC, unfortunately). Right after, we got the Redmi 8A Dual which offers the great stability of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 439 chipset and up to 3 GB of RAM. Oppo A11k has a lower-end Helio P22 chipset and just 2 GB of RAM. Note that Realme C3 is the only to run Android 10 out of the box. The Realme C3 is definitely the winner of the hardware and software comparison.
Camera
The brighter focal aperture of the main sensor found on the Realme C3 makes this device the most interesting camera phone of the trio. It should allow shooting better photos than Oppo A11k and Redmi 8A Dual in most of the conditions. But the Redmi 8A Dual actually comes with a better front camera which consists of a single 8 MP sensor. Again, the Oppo A11k is the most disappointing, but not by a high margin.
Battery
With its huge 5000 mAh battery and its smaller display (smaller than Realme C3), Redmi 8A Dual is able to provide an overall longer battery life. Realme C3 takes the silver medal, while Oppo A11k can not compete with its two rivals because it comes with a much smaller (but still very satisfying) battery. Redmi 8A Dual also wins the charger comparison since it provides faster charging speeds (18W fast charging) and it even supports reverse charging. Both Oppo A11k and Realme C3 charge at 10W.
Price
Oppo A11k is priced Rs.8,990/$118 in India, the Realme C3 price in India has been set at Rs. 8,999, and Redmi 8A Dual is priced Rs.6,499/$85. At the end of the day, I believe Realme C3 is a more valid device since it comes with better hardware, cameras, and Android 10 out of the box. But Redmi 8A Dual is more compact and more affordable while still providing similar specifications. In regards to Oppo A11k, you should wait for its price to drop before considering it.
Oppo A11k vs Realme C3 vs Xiaomi Redmi 8A Dual: PROs and CONS
Xiaomi Redmi 8A Dual
PROs
- Huge battery
- Great front camera
- Water-repellent
- Fast charging
- Reverse charging
CONS
- No fingerprint reader
Oppo Realme C3
PROs
- Amazing performance
- Splash resistant
- Android 10 out of the box
- Great rear cameras
- Huge battery
CONS
- Dimensions
- No fingerprint scanner
Oppo A11k
PROs
- Fingerprint reader
- Very affordable
- Compact
CONS
- Inferior hardware
